Danielle Battaglia, a Washington correspondent for News & Observer, and Benoît Morenne, a journalist at the Wall Street Journal, dive into the political fallout from a scandal involving a North Carolina gubernatorial candidate. They discuss how this controversy could sway voter sentiment and impact Trump's campaign. The conversation also touches on the alarming lawsuit from an energy mogul against Greenpeace, and the shifting public perception of electric vehicles. Don't miss their insights on the turbulence ahead in both politics and environmental battles!
The North Carolina gubernatorial scandal involving Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson is likely to alienate undecided voters, impacting Trump's support in a crucial battleground state.
The ongoing lawsuit by a Texas energy mogul against Greenpeace USA underscores the tension between environmental advocacy and the fossil fuel industry, with significant consequences for climate efforts.
Deep dives
Political Scandals in North Carolina
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are virtually tied in the North Carolina polls, a crucial battleground state for the upcoming presidential election. A major scandal has emerged involving North Carolina's Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, who is linked to offensive posts made on a porn website over a decade ago, including calling himself a 'black Nazi.' Despite denying the allegations, the scandal has led to the resignation of much of Robinson's campaign staff, putting his gubernatorial aspirations in jeopardy. Analysts suggest that while Robinson's loyal base may remain steadfast, undecided voters are likely to be turned off by the controversy, affecting the overall Republican strategy in the state.
Escalating Conflict in the Middle East
Recent fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in the deadliest day of conflict in Lebanon since 2006, with over 500 casualties reported, including many children. The Israeli military conducted extensive airstrikes, claiming to target Hezbollah sites while warning civilians in advance to evacuate. The strikes have led to widespread panic, as thousands fled their homes, further complicating the humanitarian situation in the region. In response to these developments, the Pentagon is sending additional U.S. military forces to the area, marking a continued escalation of international involvement.
A Texas energy billionaire is pursuing a lawsuit against Greenpeace USA that could potentially bankrupt the organization, highlighting ongoing tensions between environmental advocacy and the fossil fuel industry. The lawsuit originated from protests over the Dakota Access Pipeline, which received considerable public attention and opposition from indigenous groups. The billionaire claims that Greenpeace contributed to property damage and misinformation during the protests, while the organization insists its involvement was minimal and peaceful. With the trial approaching, Greenpeace has expressed that the outcome could significantly impact its global efforts against climate change, emphasizing the stakes involved in the case.
News & Observer Washington correspondent Danielle Battaglia describes how North Carolina voters are thinking about presidential candidates after a recent scandal in the governor’s race shook things up.
Israel and Hezbollah exchanged fire after Lebanon suffered huge casualties. Reuters has more.
Benoît Morenne with the Wall Street Journal explains how an unusual lawsuit by an energy mogul could bankrupt Greenpeace USA.
Helene could hit Florida as a Category 3 hurricane. Axios has details.
EVs are cleaner than gas cars, but a growing share of Americans don’t believe it. NPR reports.
A Wall Street Journal essay argues that pediatricians created the peanut-allergy epidemic.
Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode